BJP wants NDPP to lead in state, says Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday appealed to the electorates of 2 Dimapur-II Assembly Constituency (AC) to vote for NDPP candidate Moatoshi Longkumer in the upcoming state general election scheduled to be held on February 27.

Addressing a public rally for Longkumer at Kuda village ground in Dimapur, he said the NDPP-BJP alliance has completed five years tenure in the state Assembly and would come back to power.

Dwelling on the performance of the incumbent government, Rio said road connectively has improved significantly in Nagaland though the COVID pandemic disrupted the development works for almost two years. He added that air connectivity too has improved with direct flights to the state now available from various destinations like Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and other places.

It will be difficult to completely eradicate poverty and unemployment in a big country like India but the Modi government is aggressively taking up developmental works and implementing numerous welfare schemes for the poor, he said.

On the 40:20 seat sharing between the NDPP and BJP for the upcoming state election, he said it was proposed by the national party, not because of him but the Naga people, respecting the Christian faith, Nagaland being a Christian majority state, and also the sentiments of the people.

He further said that the BJP wanted a regional party – NDPP – to lead in the state and that was already decided in 2021, much before announcing the seat-sharing arrangement in 2022. He added that the government of India knows the Nagaland political scenario.

Rio mentioned that Urban Local body (ULB) election notification order will be issued next month as per the Supreme Court order and tax collection under ULB will be done through their elected representative, and not through any agency, adding that the collected tax will be used for maintenance and development of the town.

Concluded a successful campaign for today at 2-Dimapur-II A/C. I appeal to the constituents to vote for Shri. Moatoshi Longkumer @Moatoshi_2Dmr
to represent you again for further development. I also appeal for a responsible electoral process. #FactaNonVerba pic.twitter.com/dcShpzdwKz

— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) February 17, 2023

Longkumer on his vision

Addressing the gathering, Moatoshi Longkumer thanked the chief minister for his concern for him as well as the people of Dimapur-II constituency. He said that he was in the opposition for over four and a half years but did everything he could from the Local Area Development fund.

He said the CM sanctioned three road projects under special fund after he joined the NDPP, and the construction of the roads has been completed.

Highlighting his vision, Longkumer said that his top priorities will be colony roads, unemployment issues and flooding problem, if he is elected to the state assembly, while claiming that Rio will be the chief minister again after March 2 and he would be a messenger for the public.

‘MLAs, public should work together’

Rio replied when asked on public role in bringing about development, Rio replied that it is not just the elected members, but ‘every citizen is responsible, and they have to do their bit, so that together and with mutual trust they should work together’.

He was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the rally for Longkumer.

When ask if his government, if elected again, will look into the flooding issue in Dimapur-II constituency area, Rio replied that it can be easily solved, provided the public doesn’t obstruct the drainages.

On the land encroachment issue at Dimapur railway station, he said he would look into it after the elections are over. He added that if people want good railway station, the encroachers should make way, or else the railway station has to be moved to some other places for the conveniences of the travelers.

Also read: New government has many important decisions to make on pressing issues, says Nagaland CM Rio